The culture
of interest I pursued was Irish culture. Miranda Ienn and I have been friends
since I can remember. We have not only grown up together, but I feel she has
really shaped who I have become today. I always knew Miranda was Irish (her
read hair was a dead give-away), and I wanted to learn about something that has
shaped who she is. Miranda’s Irish heritage connects to Martin and Nakayama's
definition of culture, which is defined as a “learned patterns of behavior and
attitudes shared by a group of people”, because of its traditions and values
that have been passed down in her family (Martin & Nakayama, 2013).
When it
comes to Miranda’s culture, there are variations of different symbols that her
family understand and cherish. These include her family crest and her Claddagh
ring. Through semiosis these seemingly simple objects have become a meaningful
part of Miranda and her family’s life, and the Irish culture as a whole. Traits
such as loyalty to Ireland, bravery and knowledge are all things symbolized as
a part of Miranda’s crest, and boost her drive to be classified as these
characteristics. Similarly her Claddagh ring has signifiers that are a set of
hands, a heart and a crown. Signified the hands mean friendship, the heart
means love, and the crown means loyalty. These rings have become a sign of
Irish identity, and all the women in Miranda’s family wear them proudly.
Throughout
my research I found some stereotypes that do not resonate well with Miranda and
her family about Irish culture. The number one issue was the provocative
aspects, such as drinking and swearing. I had spoken with Miranda’s cousin,
Neleigh who touched on the subject. “Yeah, I’ll have a beer. Yeah, I’ll cuss
sometimes to show that I am upset or to enhance other feelings. But I know a
lot of other people that do those things from a bunch of different backgrounds”
(personal communication, November 25, 2013). She insisted that she was young,
and still experiencing life, and neither of those things should create a negative
stereotype about her entire heritage because she chooses to live a certain way.
Elspeth Misiaszek, a critic about Ireland’s pub tours explains that the history
of Ireland’s drinking comes from a dark place in the 19th century.
Families were displaced from their homes, and life was filled with disease,
famine, and death, and the Irish made homemade whisky to cope. But that was
many years ago and things have changed. “While the pub culture of Ireland
continues to dominate, the country’s reputation as heavy drinkers has started
to subside. Simply, fewer Irish people drink, but, according to statistics,
those who do drink, drink heavily” (Misiaszek, 2010)
Another
prominent, more positive, theme I found during my interviews was the ties
people apart of Irish culture had with their families. As discussed earlier,
many of them were familiar about their family crest, but this was not what
connected them. Miranda’s mother, Rebecca, had explained to me that her
parents, and her parent’s parents, have all been raised understanding that
family is our truest asset in life. Without them we have nothing. In my
interview with Miranda she told me a touching story about an uncle she had
lost, battling with addiction. “He had it really rough, those last few years.
We never once lost faith in him, or gave him less love than he deserved. Many
families you see on TV become resentful, or lost. But not us” (personal
communication, November 25, 2013). The struggle Miranda and her family
endured after his loss took a huge toll. However, this only made them closer
and they directed their grief towards renewing Catholic beliefs. Rebecca even let
me in on an Irish blessing that had been passed down, in which every Ienn family
member knows. “May your pockets be heavy, and your heart be light, May good
luck pursue you each morning and night” (personal communication, November 25,
2013).
In terms of
intercultural communication, I feel I know and understand Miranda more than
ever. Even after being friends for 15 years, it’s so powerful to understand
someone’s cultural background story. Having other-knowledge, or knowing how people
from other cultures think and behave to become a better communicator,
influences you to understand self-knowledge, or knowing how your strengths and
weaknesses as a communicator are received (Martin & Nakayama, 2013). Being able to empathize with a culture, may
lead you to want to understand others. And this type of positive, open-minded
attitude will allow other to want to understand you. These are just some of the
few ways to enhance your intercultural competence, which is the ability to
communicate effectively with different cultures.
Resources
Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2013). Intercultural
Communication in Context. (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Misiaszek, E. (2010). Dispelling Irish Stereotypes: Why Are All the
Irish Drunks? Tenon Tours. Retrieved from
http://www.tenontours.com/irish-history/irish-stereotypes-why-are-all-the-irish-drunks-irish-pub-tour/
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